The India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Friday said an unexpected spell of rain across Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) has intensified the prevailing cold wave conditions.
Dark clouds covered the capital in the early hours, with rainfall beginning around 6 a.m. in several parts of Delhi. The rain was moderate to heavy initially before tapering off to light showers. Cold northwesterly winds accompanied the rainfall, further increasing the chill. Gurugram also received rain, despite no specific precipitation warning being issued for the city.
According to the IMD, Delhi’s minimum temperature on Friday is expected to remain around 5 degrees Celsius, while the maximum temperature may hover between 16 and 17 degrees Celsius. On Thursday, the Safdarjung weather station recorded a minimum temperature of 5.8 degrees Celsius, nearly one degree below the seasonal average, marking the coldest day of the winter so far. Lodhi Road recorded a similar minimum of 6.1 degrees Celsius.
Palam was the coldest station in the capital on Thursday, with the minimum temperature dropping to 4.8 degrees Celsius. Ridge and Ayanagar both recorded lows of 5.8 degrees Celsius. Maximum temperatures remained below normal across all weather stations, keeping cold conditions persistent throughout the day.
The IMD said there is unlikely to be any major change in minimum temperatures over the next three to four days. Light to moderate fog is expected during morning hours, while partly cloudy conditions may prevail at some places between January 10 and 12. Maximum temperatures are also expected to stay below normal.
With no major western disturbance or widespread rainfall forecast, cold wave conditions are likely to continue in the coming days.
-with inputs from IANS
